Therapists for college students near 90089

Witnessing my clients feel empowered to work towards meaningful change inspires me everyday. Asking for help is a difficult thing to do, especially when it comes to our mental health. My position allows me to support folks who’ve taken the first step (often for the first time) to focus on improving their coping skills, confidence, self-compassion, relationships, boundaries, and self-care. I aim to highlight strengths and utilize my client’s interests and passions to help facilitate positive changes. Supporting folks through life challenges, trauma, and grief is also an important part of my practice. Many of my clients are choosing therapy for the first time, and I am honored to be a part of their journey. One of the most important aspects of the therapeutic process is feeling heard and understood. By staying open, curious, collaborative, and compassionate, I hope to make the therapeutic process as welcoming as possible. It is important to me that all my clients feel safe and welcome in my (virtual) space. By creating an environment that is warm and authentic, I aim to develop trust so my clients feel comfortable bringing any topic to the table. My practice is supportive for folks who identify as neurodivergent, nerdy, LGBTQIA+, and people in non-monogamous relationship structures.

I provide a safe and nurturing environment where you can explore and understand your emotions, relationships, and personal challenges. I am dedicated to making a space in therapy for all of you: from struggles with depression and anxiety to relational woes and life's changes and challenges. Whether you are seeking support as a couple, for your child, or for you! I am here to guide you on your journey towards healing and growth. My goal is to help you know and enjoy yourself more deeply, so that you can do the same with others in your life.

I have been in practice since 2010 in California and comprehensively providing services in both English and Spanish. Types of treatment varies, as approach is client-centered, but include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic (that which helps process the past), Solution-Focused, Strength-based, Humanistic, Mindfulness and naturally always respectful of cultural preferences and individual experiences. Humility, Kindness and gentle Humor are at the center of my work. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

You’ve taken the first step towards healing, which is often one of the most difficult. Thank you for being vulnerable and allowing me into your space. The world changed, and so did all of us…and that is okay! I am here to partner with children, teens, young adults, adults, and couples towards achieving healing and fulfilment, however that may look to you. My You-Centered approach places you at the helm of your journey, as we use cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System, and other mindfulness management strategies to transform this moment. Together, we will combine these theories when discussing matters concerning goals/aspirations, relationships, interpersonal struggles, depression, self-esteem, executive functioning, stress management, phobias and fears, and substance use concerns.

I am passionate about aligning myself with clients to support them through life transitions, achieving work/life balance, coaching around dating and communication skills, assertiveness training, boundaries and goal attainment to name a few! I find that it is so imperative to take the time to invest in personal development in order to find out what it is you really want in life and who you truly are. Therapy can provide a space where you may press the pause button to get in touch with how you are really feeling about the important areas in your life and where you may make important discoveries about yourself with a professional who is absolutely rooting for your success. I believe in creating a nonjudgmental space where you can come as you are- not the perfect, polished version you may feel pressure to be in the world. I bring my own life experience, blended with extensive training and evidence-based therapy practices to meet you where you are currently and work together to take you where you want to go. I believe that therapy should be a collaborative process and prioritize working on client-identified treatment goals at a pace that feels comfortable for you. My hope is for clients is that they leave each session feeling empowered and looking forward to the next session! I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

Picture a supportive therapy room infused with the excitement of a treasure chest full of self-discovery. My therapy style is all about providing support, and education, and enhancing your understanding of how stressors may impact your life. In our sessions, we'll embark on a journey together, armed with curiosity and compassion. With my background in health psychology and biology, I bring a unique perspective to our care. Depending on your needs, we can process, develop useful coping skills, or do both to help find a balance that nourishes your mind and body. Together, we'll unravel the knots, celebrate the victories, and maybe even share a virtual high-five or two along the way. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

I'm a queer therapist offering trauma therapy in English and Spanish, both in person in Oakland and online. I have experience supporting college students with a wide variety of issues, from the initial adjustment to college to the preparations for the transition of graduating and figuring out what's next. You might be dealing with academic stress, social conflicts, relationship challenges, or tough dynamics with family. Therapy is a space where you don't have to take care of anyone else, where I'll show up with kind curiosity to help you make sense of what you're feeling and experiencing. I hold a compassionate and non-judgmental stance with my clients, but I don't think any of us can be truly neutral. Rather than try to achieve the old-school therapist poker face, I show up as myself in the therapy room with my whole personality (dumb jokes and all). I work with people who are fiercely dedicated to living out their values, and often find that the energy they pour into taking care of others doesn't leave much left over for themselves. When you're splitting energy between many things and people you care about, it can be hard to carve out that space just for yourself. But you deserve to receive as much care as you give. Therapy can help you practice tuning into your own needs and help you feel more agency.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and graduated from USC in 2014. In my practice, I support people healing from trauma, including those living with C-PTSD/ PTSD, dissociation, depression, and anxiety. I often work with clients who identify as LGBTQ, neurodivergent, or disabled, and those navigating the impact of systemic oppression.

I am passionate about helping college students navigate life's challenges with empathy and understanding. Let's work together to create positive change.

My focus is to foster healing, spur personal growth, and nurture self-awareness, empowering clients to tap into their innate strengths. With over a decade of clinical experience as a therapist, adjunct professor, and supervisor, I offer a diverse background to my therapy approach. My straightforward yet empathetic and analytical nature allows me to tailor treatment to individuals navigating life's unique challenges. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.

If you’re seeking therapy, you might wonder what it could look like—how it feels to sit with someone who truly understands you and helps you untangle the knots in your life. I’m a therapist who loves guiding people through their challenges with warmth, compassion, and encouragement. My approach to therapy is all about collaboration, focusing on your strengths, and weaving together evidence-based practices tailored just for you. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, trauma, or a big life shift, I’m here to help you find your footing and move forward in your life in a way that feels meaningful. I specialize in an integrative, strength-based style of therapy, drawing from a rich toolkit of techniques to suit your unique needs. Think of it as a custom roadmap: we start with where you are and chart a course to meet your goals. I rely heavily on evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to shift limiting thought patterns; Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore the different parts of yourself; and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to release stuck trauma. Mindfulness helps keep you anchored in the present moment, while Sensorimotor (Somatic) Psychotherapy bridges the mind and body when words fall short. My philosophy is holistic—mind, body, and soul are all partners in healing. I’m client-centered and humanistic, meaning you’re the expert on being you. You bring the raw material of your life experiences and I bring tools, training, experience, and a steadfast presence to help you sculpt something new. I believe therapy isn’t about fixing you—it’s about tapping into your inner wisdom to foster growth. This may mean healing old wounds or stepping into your most authentic self. Therapy with me is about connection—to yourself, to others, and to a life that lights you up. How do I approach this process? With empathy, curiosity, and a deep respect for your personal journey. I start by creating a safe space where you’re truly seen and heard and can explore all parts of yourself: your fears, hopes, and everything in between. There is no judgment. From this place of acceptance of what is, we’ll set some practical and attainable goals. I’m big on education, transparency, and ensuring therapy meets your needs, so you’ll always know what’s happening and why each step of the way. You can expect a balance of gentle support and practical guidance as we track your emotions, spot relational patterns, and loosen the grip of limiting beliefs. It might get uncomfortable sitting with some of the tough stuff, but I’ll be right here helping you navigate it with clarity, sensitivity, and support. I’ve worked with all kinds of people—students with ADHD, survivors of trauma, corporate professionals, creatives, and more—across ages, cultures, and identities. My passion lies in helping you not just cope, but thrive. With me, you’re not just a client—you’re a partner in a process that celebrates who you are! Let’s build something meaningful together.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a doctorate in Social Work. I work with clients looking to overcome stress, anxiety, sadness, or trauma. We cultivate self-love, optimism, insight, and empathy while learning practical tools for lasting change. In our work together, we’ll focus on raising your self-awareness and nurturing your inner child with compassion and understanding. Whether your challenges stem from relationships, family dynamics, work or school stress, or personal struggles, I’ll help you create a clear, actionable plan to become the best version of you.

Welcome — I'm so glad you're here. You are so not alone in what you're carrying and you don't have to have it all figured out to move forward; this is exactly where we start. Being in college can be a huge adjustment, one that often comes with anxiety, loneliness, major academic pressure, and figuring out how to build authentic community. Whether you're navigating academic pressure, relationships, family stress, sexuality, gender exploration, or just the uncertainty of what comes next, I want to be in that space with you. Together we'll find insight using creative expression, mind-body connection, and shedding the internalized ideas of who we think we’re supposed to be. This is a place where everything is process over product and where we are actively seeking the imperfect. My approach is rooted in deep empathy, expressive arts, somatic practices, social justice lenses, and whole-person centered frameworks. I specialize in working with identity exploration, neurodiversity, queer folks, as well as young adults navigating the internal and external complexities of college life. We will start our work together with meeting right where you are and will walk together the rest of the way. My goal is to help you find more empowered, centered, and become more connected to yourself and others. Through our time together, however long that might be, my hope is that you're able to explore the many wonderful, scary, and magical layers that we hold. You can find me in my virtual office space or in-person at my Hayes Valley office. When I’m not sitting in the therapist chair, I’m usually guiding expressive arts workshops, working with queer & trans youth, reading multiple books at one time, out enjoying nature, or spending lots of time adventuring. I hope we get to meet soon! "I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become." - Carl Jung

Michele Haynes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Pacific Northwest Counseling. Michele holds a license to practice in the states of IDAHO, CALIFORNIA, OREGON & WASHINGTON. Michele utilizes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other trauma treatments (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional). Her primary areas of clinical interest include couples, anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment issues, relationships, and stress management. Michele EMDR certified. For individuals wanting to integrate mental health and Christianity, Michele can offer a faith-based perspective. --- Benjamin Johnstun is a counseling intern at Pacific Northwest Counseling, practicing under the supervision of Michele Haynes, LMFT. Benjamin is pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwest Nazarene University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Psychology from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Benjamin is passionate about helping couples build stronger, more communicative relationships, drawing on his training in the Gottman Method. He has completed Level-2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. He is also dedicated to supporting individuals in finding purpose and meaning through a logotherapy-informed approach. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Benjamin offers a faith-based perspective for clients seeking to integrate Christian or LDS values into their counseling, while welcoming individuals from all backgrounds. Benjamin can practice in the states of IDAHO, CALIFORNIA, OREGON & WASHINGTON.

I work from a systems perspective within a social justice framework. I aim to understand how each client's intersecting identities, relationships, and functioning within broader societal systems are impacting their current concerns. While underscoring the importance of the context of the client's concerns, I am also solution- and present-focused in order to help clients gain immediate and impactful skills they can use outside of and after their care at Octave. I'm a therapist with Octave and Evernorth Behavioral Care Group. Octave is a mental health practice providing high-quality care covered by multiple insurances. Evernorth Behavioral Care Group is a behavioral health provider group in-network with Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth. For my availability, please reach out to Octave’s team by emailing or calling.

My mission is to help individuals find ways to manage stressors by laying the groundwork for healing and growth. I work from a strengths-based perspective and tailor my approach to individual needs. I am passionate about creating a safe space to help facilitate insight and understanding. I am a therapist at Octave, a behavioral health practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. To learn more about my availability, please reach out to our Client Experience team by emailing or calling.

I am direct and respectful in my professional approach to every person I treat. I view our work as a collaborative effort and will do my best to meet you where you are at. Together we will create a treatment plan that will best meet your needs. I specialize in working with patients who suffer from depression, anxiety, relationship issues, loss and grief. I also have expertise studying the emotional strain associated with immigration and growing up the child of immigrants.

The challenges and struggles we face in life can leave us feeling helpless and hopeless. Perhaps you’re overwhelmed with responsibilities. You might be taking care of other people and neglecting yourself. Or you might be struggling hard to make an important relationship work. You’ve tried more traditional kinds of self-help or therapy, and you’re ready for a different kind of therapy which integrates the mind, body and spirit.

Hi! I have spent my entire career working with college students - starting initially on a college campus, then to a group practice near UC Davis, and now in my own private practice. I am currently only offering telehealth services and I am licensed in California, Florida, and Ontario Canada. I love supporting young adults and adults during such a pivotal time of life; as they navigate the transition to college, the unique challenges that come with being a college student/young adult, and the healing that can happen when you find a good fit. Whether you have a history of mental health impacting you or it's your first time ever experiencing anxiety, depression, loss, self esteem, relationship challenges (among other things) I strive to provide you with a safe space to feel heard, supported, and understood.

Do you find yourself struggling with intrusive, unwanted or “sticky” thoughts? Maybe your mind is constantly jumping to the worst case scenario, gets caught up in endless “what ifs,” or convinces you that you need to be 100% sure about something before you move on. You may have tried managing your anxiety or thoughts by avoiding certain people, places, or situations, reassuring yourself, mentally reviewing or rehearsing conversations, cleaning, saying a prayer, thinking a good thought to neutralize a bad thought, etc. You don't want to spend so much time engaging in these behaviors, but you feel like you can't stop — like you have to do them to stop something bad from happening, or to feel better. The relief you get from these behaviors is temporary, because the thoughts and feelings always come back, making you feel even more frustrated and hopeless. Over time you’ve noticed your world has started to shrink, and things have become difficult to manage. You struggle with paying attention in class, getting assignments in on time, procrastination, spending time with friends, or making decisions. You feel trapped, alone, and scared. If any of this resonates with you, I'm here to tell you that these experiences are common for those living with OCD and anxiety. The good news is that your life doesn't have to stay this way. With the right treatment, it’s possible to break free of OCD and anxiety and get back to the things that matter most to us. If you are interested in taking the next step please text, call, email, or fill out a form on my website to schedule a free 15 min consultation.